Directly Functionalized Cucurbit[7]uril as a Biosensor for the Selective Detection of Protein Interactions by 129Xe hyperCEST NMR

Advancement of hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI technology toward clinical settings demonstrates the considerable interest in this modality for diagnostic imaging. The number of contrast agents, termed biosensors, for ¹²⁹Xe MRI that respond to specific biological targets, has grown and diversified. Directly functionalized xenon-carrying macrocycles, such as the large family of cryptophane-based biosensors, are good for localization-based imaging and provide contrast before and after binding events occur. Noncovalently functionalized constructs, such as cucurbituril- and cyclodextrin-based biosensors, benefit from commercial availability and optimal exchange dynamics for CEST imaging. In this work, we report the first directly functionalized cucurbituril used as a xenon biosensor. Biotinylated cucurbit[7]uril (btCB7) gives rise to a ¹²⁹Xe hyperCEST response at the unusual shift of δ=28 ppm when bound to its protein target with substantial CEST contrast. We posit that the observed chemical shift is due to the deformation of btCB7 upon binding to avidin, caused by proximity to the protein surface. Conformational searches and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations support this hypothesis. This construct combines the strengths of both families of biosensors, enables a multitude of biological targets through avidin conjugation, and demonstrates the advantages of functionalized cucurbituril-based biosensors.     

A Xenon‐129 Biosensor for Monitoring MHC–Peptide Interactions

Caged in : The formation of a complex between a peptide ligand and a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II protein is detected by a ¹²⁹Xe biosensor. Cryptophane molecules that trap Xe atoms are modified with a hemagglutinin (HA) peptide, which binds to the MHC protein. The interaction can be monitored by an NMR chemical shift change of cage–HA bound ¹²⁹Xe.

     

The chemical shifts of Xe in the cages of clathrate hydrate Structures I and II

We report, for the first time, a calculation of the isotropic NMR chemical shift of 129Xe in the cages of clathrate hydrates Structures I and II. We generate a shielding surface for Xe in the clathrate cages by quantum mechanical calculations. Subsequently this shielding surface is employed in canonical Monte Carlo simulations to find the average isotropic Xe shielding values in the various cages. For the two types of cages in clathrate hydrate Structure I, we find the intermolecular shielding values [sigma(Xe@5(12) cage)-sigma(Xe atom)]=-214.0 ppm, and [sigma(Xe@5(12)6(2) cage)-sigma(Xe atom)]=-146.9 ppm, in reasonable agreement with the values -242 and -152 ppm, respectively, observed experimentally by Ripmeester and co-workers between 263 and 293 K. For the 5(12) and 5(12)6(4) cages of Structure II we find [sigma(Xe@5(12) cage)-sigma(Xe atom)]=-206.7 ppm, and [sigma(Xe@5(12)6(4) cage)-sigma(Xe atom)]=-104.7 ppm, also in reasonable agreement with the values -225 and -80 ppm, respectively, measured in a Xe-propane type II mixed clathrate hydrate at 77 and 220-240 K by Ripmeester et al.     

Participation of xenon guest in hydrogen bond network of β-hydroquinone crystal

In the β-hydroquinone (β-HQ)-Xe crystal, the Xe guest is placed between two hexagonal rings of coupled [···O-H···O-](6) H-bonds. This clathrate is treated as the model for monitoring the H-bonding system with the Xe participation. Three kinds of isotope effects due to the H/D substitution in the [···O-H···O-](6) bonds are considered: (i) structural changes in the clathrate (X-ray diffraction), (ii) variations of (129)Xe NMR signal of the guest (CP MAS), and (iii) variations of selected vibrations of the host (IR). This study predicts subtle inclination of every other hydroxyl group of the [···O-H···O-](6) rings into the Xe atom and formation of six Xe···H-O pairs in every cage, the frequency shift of the γOH mode due to these contacts, -ΔγOH(Xe···H) > 74 cm(-1), as well as the enthalpy formation, -ΔH(Xe···H) > 6-8 kJ mol(-1). Our IR results reveal a tendency of the Xe atom to form the H-bond-like network inside its cage and much weaker Xe···D-O interactions in the H/D substituted crystal. The (129)Xe NMR results do not reflect this kind of interactions due to averaging of the (129)Xe shielding phenomena, probably. We also predict elongation of the O···O distances due to the β-HQ-Xe crystal heating and the Xe escape.     

ChemInform Abstract: NMR of 129Xe Trapped in Clathrates and Some Other Solids.

129Xe NMR chemical shifts, obtained for Xe trapped in the cages of clathrate hydrates and a clathrasil sample, together with shift data for solid Xe correlate linearly with the mean free radius of the cage.     

Exploring new 129Xe chemical shift ranges in HXeY compounds: hydrogen more relativistic than xenon

Among rare gases, xenon features an unusually broad nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shift range in its compounds and as a non-bonded Xe atom introduced into different environments. In this work we show that (129)Xe NMR chemical shifts in the recently prepared, matrix-isolated xenon compounds appear in new, so far unexplored (129)Xe chemical shift ranges. State-of-the-art theoretical predictions of NMR chemical shifts in compounds of general formula HXeY (Y = H, F, Cl, Br, I, -CN, -NC, -CCH, -CCCCH, -CCCN, -CCXeH, -OXeH, -OH, -SH) as well as in the recently prepared ClXeCN and ClXeNC species are reported. The bonding situation of Xe in the studied compounds is rather different from the previously characterized cases as Xe appears in the electronic state corresponding to a situation with a low formal oxidation state, between I and II in these compounds. Accordingly, the predicted (129)Xe chemical shifts occur in new NMR ranges for this nucleus: ca. 500-1000 ppm (wrt Xe gas) for HXeY species and ca. 1100-1600 ppm for ClXeCN and ClXeNC. These new ranges fall between those corresponding to the weakly-bonded Xe(0) atom in guest-host systems (δ < 300 ppm) and in the hitherto characterized Xe molecules (δ > 2000 ppm). The importance of relativistic effects is discussed. Relativistic effects only slightly modulate the (129)Xe chemical shift that is obtained already at the nonrelativistic CCSD(T) level. In contrast, spin-orbit-induced shielding effects on the (1)H chemical shifts of the H1 atom directly bonded to the Xe center largely overwhelm the nonrelativistic deshielding effects. This leads to an overall negative (1)H chemical shift in the range between -5 and -25 ppm (wrt CH(4)). Thus, the relativistic effects induced by the heavy Xe atom appear considerably more important for the chemical shift of the neighbouring, light hydrogen atom than that of the Xe nucleus itself. The predicted NMR parameters facilitate an unambiguous experimental identification of these novel compounds.     

Exploring surfaces and cavities in lipoxygenase and other proteins by hyperpolarized xenon-129 NMR

This paper presents an exploratory study of the binding interactions of xenon with the surface of several different proteins in the solution and solid states using both conventional and hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR. The generation of hyperpolarized (129)Xe by spin exchange optical pumping affords an enhancement by 3-4 orders of magnitude of its NMR signal. As a result, it is possible to observe Xe directly bound to the surface of micromolar quantities of lyophilized protein. The highly sensitive nature of the (129)Xe line shape and chemical shift are used as indicators for the conditions most likely to yield maximal dipolar contact between (129)Xe nuclei and nuclear spins situated on the protein. This is an intermediate step toward achieving the ultimate goal of NMR enhancement of the binding-site nuclei by polarization transfer from hyperpolarized (129)Xe. The hyperpolarized (129)Xe spectra resulting from exposure of four different proteins in the lyophilized, powdered form have been examined for evidence of binding. Each of the proteins, namely, metmyoglobin, methemoglobin, hen egg white lysozyme, and soybean lipoxygenase, yielded a distinctly different NMR line shape. With the exception of lysozyme, the proteins all possess a paramagnetic iron center which can be expected to rapidly relax the (129)Xe and produce a net shift in its resonance position if the noble gas atom occupies specific binding sites near the iron. At temperatures from 223 to 183 K, NMR signals were observed in the 0-40 ppm chemical shift range, relative to Xe in the gas phase. The signals broadened and shifted downfield as the temperature was reduced, indicating that Xe is exchanging between the gas phase and internal or external binding sites of the proteins. Additionally, conventional (129)Xe NMR studies of metmyoglobin and lipoxygenase in the solution state are presented. The temperature dependence of the chemical shift and line shape indicate exchange of Xe between adsorption sites on lipoxygenase and Xe in the solvent on the slow to intermediate exchange time scale. The NMR results are compared with N(2), Xe, and CH(4) gas adsorption isotherms. It is found that lipoxygenase is unique among the proteins studied in possessing a relatively high affinity for gas molecules, and in addition, demonstrating the most clearly resolved adsorbed (129)Xe NMR peak in the lyophilized state.     

Monitoring stepwise proteolytic degradation of peptides by supramolecular domino tandem assays and mass spectrometry for trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase

A label-free optical detection method has been designed that allows direct monitoring of enzymatic peptide digestion in vitro. The method is based on the addition of a reporter pair, composed of the macrocyclic host cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) and the fluorescent dye acridine orange (AO), to detect the proteolytic degradation of peptides. The enzymatic activity of trypsin and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) was investigated using H-LSRFSWGA-OH as a substrate. The substrate as well as the intermediary and final products (i.e., H-FSWGA-OH and phenylalanine) formed during its enzymatic hydrolysis differ in their binding affinity to the receptor CB7, which results in varying degrees of dye displacement and, therefore, different fluorescence intensities. CB7 showed a relatively weak binding constant of K approximately 10(4) M(-1) with the substrate, a relatively strong binding constant of K > or = 10(6) M(-1) with H-FSWGA-OH (which is a final product formed by trypsin digestion and the intermediary product formed during the enzymatic activity of LAP), and a moderate binding constant of K < or = 10(5) M(-1) with phenylalanine. Owing to this differential binding affinity of CB7 with the substrate and the corresponding products, the digestion of a peptide by trypsin was followed as a decrease in fluorescence signal, while the complete degradation of the peptide by LAP was monitored as a decrease and a subsequent increase in fluorescence signal. The k(cat)/K(M) value for trypsin (2.0 x 10(7) min(-1) M(-1)) was derived from the change in fluorescence signal with time. Additionally, the complete degradation of the peptide by LAP was also followed by mass spectrometry. The use of a supramolecular sensing ensemble (macrocyclic host and dye) as a fluorescent reporter pair gives this method the flexibility to adapt for monitoring the stepwise degradation of different biologically relevant peptides by other proteases.     

Solid-state 129Xe and 131Xe NMR study of the perxenate anion XeO(6)4-

Results of the first solid-state 131Xe NMR study of xenon-containing compounds are presented. The two NMR-active isotopes of xenon, 129Xe (I=1/2) and 131Xe (I=3/2), are exploited to characterize the xenon magnetic shielding and quadrupolar interactions for two sodium perxenate salts, Na4XeO6.xH2O (x=0, 2), at an applied magnetic field strength of 11.75 T. Solid-state 129/131Xe NMR line shapes indicate that the local xenon environment in anhydrous Na4XeO6 adopts octahedral symmetry, but upon hydration, the XeO6(4-) anion becomes noticeably distorted from octahedral symmetry. For stationary, anhydrous samples of Na4XeO6, the heteronuclear 129/131Xe-23Na dipolar interaction is the principal contributor to the breadth of the 129/131Xe NMR lines. For stationary and slow magic-angle-spinning samples of Na4XeO(6).2H2O, the anisotropic xenon shielding interaction dominates the 129Xe NMR line shape, whereas the 131Xe NMR line shape is completely dominated by the nuclear quadrupolar interaction. The xenon shielding tensor is approximately axially symmetric, with a skew of -0.7+/-0.3, an isotropic xenon chemical shift of -725.6+/-1.0 ppm, and a span of 95+/-5 ppm. The 131Xe quadrupolar coupling constant, 10.8+/-0.5 MHz, is large for a nucleus at a site of approximate Oh symmetry, and the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter indicates a lack of axial symmetry. This study demonstrates the extreme sensitivity of the 131Xe nuclear quadrupolar interaction to changes in the local xenon environment.     

Molecular Sensing with Hyperpolarized 129Xe Using Switchable Chemical Exchange Relaxation Transfer

An approach for hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe molecular sensors is explored using paramagnetic relaxation agents that can be deactivated upon chemical or enzymatic reaction with an analyte. Cryptophane encapsulated ¹²⁹Xe within the vicinity of the paramagnetic center experiences fast relaxation that, through chemical exchange of xenon atoms between cage and solvent pool, causes accelerated hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe signal decay in the dissolved phase. In this proof‐of‐concept work, the relaxivity of Gadolinium ^III‐DOTA on ¹²⁹Xe in the solvent was increased eightfold through tethering of the paramagnetic molecule to a cryptophane cage. This potent relaxation agent can be ′turned off′ specifically for ¹²⁹Xe through chemical reactions that spatially separate the Gd^III centre from the attached cryptophane cage. Unlike ¹²⁹Xe chemical shift based sensors, the new concept does not require high spectral resolution and may lead to a new generation of responsive contrast agents for molecular MRI.     

The dependence on temperature and concentration of 129Xe NMR chemical shift values of organoxenon(II) salts [RXe][Y] and of the parent molecule XeF2

The dependence of the 129Xe NMR chemical shift value of XeF2 on temperature and concentration was determined in a variety of prototypic media: in acidic (anhydrous HF, aHF), nonprotic but polar (dichloromethane), and basic (CD3CN-EtCN, 1:3 v/v) solvents. The 129Xe NMR spectra of a representative series of organoxenon(II) salts [RXe][Y] (R = C6F5, heptafluoro-1,4-cyclohexadien-1-yl (cyclo-1,4-C6F7), pentafluoro-1,4-cyclohexadien-3-on-1-yl (cyclo-3-O-1,4-C6F5), CF2=C(CF3), (CF3)2CFC[triple bond]C, C4H9C[triple bond]C; Y = BF4, AsF6) in aHF showed, compared with XeF2-aHF, a quantitatively less distinct but qualitatively related dependence of delta(129Xe) vs temperature. The dependence of their delta(129Xe) values on concentration in aHF is negligible. An explanation for the different behavior of [RXe][Y] and XeF2 is offered.     

Enantiopure cryptophane-129Xe nuclear magnetic resonance biosensors targeting carbonic anhydrase

The (+) and ( ? ) enantiomers for a cryptophane-7-bond-linker-benzenesulfonamide biosensor (C7B) were synthesised and their chirality was confirmed by electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy. Biosensor binding to carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) was characterised for both enantiomers by hyperpolarised (HP) ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy. Our previous study of the racemic ( ± ) C7B biosensor–CAII complex [Chambers, J.M.; Hill, P.A.; Aaron, J.A.; Han, Z.H.; Christianson, D.W.; Kuzma, N.N.; Dmochowski, I.J. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2009, 131, 563–569] identified two ‘bound’ ¹²⁹Xe@C7B peaks by HP ¹²⁹Xe NMR (at 71 and 67 ppm, relative to ‘free’ biosensor at 64 ppm), which led to the initial hypothesis that (+) and ( ? ) enantiomers produce diastereomeric peaks when coordinated to Zn²⁺ at the chiral CAII active site. Unexpectedly, the single enantiomers complexed with CAII also identified two ‘bound’ ¹²⁹Xe@C7B peaks: (+) 72, 68 ppm and ( ? ) 68, 67 ppm. These results are consistent with X-ray crystallographic evidence for benzenesulfonamide inhibitors occupying a second site near the CAII surface. As illustrated by our studies of this model protein–ligand interaction, HP ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy can be useful for identifying supramolecular assemblies in solution.     

Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of the 129Xe NMR line shapes of xenon adsorbed in (+/-)-[Co(en)3]Cl3

The 129Xe NMR line shapes of xenon adsorbed in the nanochannels of the (+/-)-[Co(en)3]Cl3 ionic crystal have been calculated by grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. The results of our GCMC simulations illustrate their utility in predicting 129Xe NMR chemical shifts in systems containing a transition metal. In particular, the nanochannels of (+/-)-[Co(en)3]Cl3 provide a simple, yet interesting, model system that serves as a building block toward understanding xenon chemical shifts in more complex porous materials containing transition metals. Using only the Xe-C and Xe-H potentials and shielding response functions derived from the Xe@CH4 van der Waals complex to model the interior of the channel, the GCMC simulations correctly predict the 129Xe NMR line shapes observed experimentally (Ueda, T.; Eguchi, T.; Nakamura, N.; Wasylishen, R. E. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 180-185). At low xenon loading, the simulated 129Xe NMR line shape is axially symmetric with chemical-shift tensor components delta(parallel) = 379 ppm and delta(perpendicular) = 274 ppm. Although the simulated isotropic chemical shift, delta(iso) = 309 ppm, is overestimated, the anisotropy of the chemical-shift tensor is correctly predicted. The simulations provide an explanation for the observed trend in the 129Xe NMR line shapes as a function of the overhead xenon pressure: delta(perpendicular) increased from 274 to 292 ppm, while delta(parallel) changed by only 3 ppm over the entire xenon loading range. The overestimation of the isotropic chemical shifts is explained based upon the results of quantum mechanical 129Xe shielding calculations of xenon interacting with an isolated (+/-)-[Co(en)3]Cl3 molecule. The xenon chemical shift is shown to be reduced by about 12% going from the Xe@[Co(en)3]Cl3 van der Waals complex to the Xe@C2H6 fragment.     

A water-soluble Xe@cryptophane-111 complex exhibits very high thermodynamic stability and a peculiar (129)Xe NMR chemical shift

The known xenon-binding (±)-cryptophane-111 (1) has been functionalized with six [(η(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ru(II)](+) ([Cp*Ru](+)) moieties to give, in 89% yield, the first water-soluble cryptophane-111 derivative, namely [(Cp*Ru)(6)1]Cl(6) ([2]Cl(6)). [2]Cl(6) exhibits a very high affinity for xenon in water, with a binding constant of 2.9(2) × 10(4) M(-1) as measured by hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR spectroscopy. The (129)Xe NMR chemical shift of the aqueous Xe@[2](6+) species (308 ppm) resonates over 275 ppm downfield of the parent Xe@1 species in (CDCl(2))(2) and greatly broadens the practical (129)Xe NMR chemical shift range made available by xenon-binding molecular hosts. Single crystal structures of [2][CF(3)SO(3)](6)·xsolvent and 0.75H(2)O@1·2CHCl(3) reveal the ability of the cryptophane-111 core to adapt its conformation to guests.     

Functionalization of poly-SNS-anchored carboxylic acid with Lys and PAMAM: surface modifications for biomolecule immobilization/stabilization and bio-sensing applications

Poly(2-(2,5-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl) (SNS) acetic acid) was electrochemically deposited on graphite electrodes and functionalized with lysine (Lys) amino acid and poly(amidoamine) derivatives (PAMAM?G2 and PAMAM?G4) to investigate their matrix properties for biosensor applications. Glucose oxidase (GOx) was immobilized onto the modified surface as the model enzyme. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to report the surface properties of the matrices in each step of the biosensor construction. The biosensors were characterized in terms of their operational and storage stabilities and the kinetic parameters (K and I(max)). Three new glucose biosensors revealed good stability, featuring low detection limits (19.0 μM, 3.47 μM and 2.93 μM for lysine-, PAMAM?G2- and PAMAM?G4-functionalized electrodes, respectively) and prolonged the shelf lives (4, 5, and 6 weeks for Lys-, PAMAM?G2- and PAMAM?G4-modified electrodes, respectively). The proposed biosensors were tested for glucose detection on real human blood serum samples.     

NMR study of the reversible trapping of SF6 by cucurbit[6]uril in aqueous solution

The complexation of sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)), a highly potent greenhouse gas, by cucurbit[6]uril (CB) was studied at various temperatures in Na(2)SO(4) aqueous solutions by (19)F and (1)H NMR. CB shows a remarkable affinity for SF(6), suggesting that it is a suitable molecular container for the design of materials tailored for SF(6) trapping. At 298 K, the equilibrium constant characterizing the inclusion of SF(6) by CB is 3.1 x 10(4) M(-1) and the residence time of SF(6) within the CB cavity is estimated to be of the order of a few seconds. The enthalpic and entropic contributions to the free energy of encapsulation were determined and are discussed. This work also reports on the interest of SF(6) in the framework of the spin-spy methodology. The advantages and drawbacks of solution-state (19)F NMR of SF(6) with respect to (129)Xe NMR are discussed. SF(6) comes forward as a versatile and informative spin-spy molecule for probing systems in solution because its detection limit by (19)F NMR reaches the micromolar range with standard equipment and because quantitative integral measurements, relaxation time measurements, and demanding experiments, such as translational diffusion coefficient measurements, are easily carried out in addition to chemical shift measurements. Solution-state (19)F NMR of SF(6) emerges as a promising alternative to (129)Xe NMR for probing cavities and for other applications relying on the encapsulation of an NMR active gaseous probe.     

Toward calculations of the 129Xe chemical shift in Xe@C60 at experimental conditions: relativity, correlation, and dynamics

We calculate the 129Xe chemical shift in endohedral Xe@C60 with systematic inclusion of the contributing physical effects to model the real experimental conditions. These are relativistic effects, electron correlation, the temperature-dependent dynamics, and solvent effects. The ultimate task is to obtain the right result for the right reason and to develop a physically justified methodological model for calculations and simulations of endohedral Xe fullerenes and other confined Xe systems. We use the smaller Xe...C6H6 model to calibrate density functional theory approaches against accurate correlated wave function methods. Relativistic effects as well as the coupling of relativity and electron correlation are evaluated using the leading-order Breit-Pauli perturbation theory. The dynamic effects are treated in two ways. In the first approximation, quantum dynamics of the Xe atom in a rigid cage takes advantage of the centrosymmetric potential for Xe within the thermally accessible distance range from the center of the cage. This reduces the problem of obtaining the solution of a diatomic rovibrational problem. In the second approach, first-principles classical molecular dynamics on the density functional potential energy hypersurface is used to produce the dynamical trajectory for the whole system, including the dynamic cage. Snapshots from the trajectory are used for calculations of the dynamic contribution to the absorption 129Xe chemical shift. The calculated nonrelativistic Xe shift is found to be highly sensitive to the optimized molecular structure and to the choice of the exchange-correlation functional. Relativistic and dynamic effects are significant and represent each about 10% of the nonrelativistic static shift at the minimum structure. While the role of the Xe dynamics inside of the rigid cage is negligible, the cage dynamics turns out to be responsible for most of the dynamical correction to the 129Xe shift. Solvent effects evaluated with a polarized continuum model are found to be very small.     

MCM-41分子筛的合成及129Xe核磁共振的研究

ＭＣＭ４１中孔分子筛是１９９２年由Ｍｏｂｉｌ公司的科学家Ｋｒｅｓｇｅ［１］等人首次合成的,并在《自然》杂志发表。这种中孔分子筛具有六角形孔径,孔径２ｎｍ～１０ｎｍ,这种分子筛的孔径可以通过水晶模板来控制［２］。已报道的合成ＭＣＭ４１,孔径一般在２．０ｎｍ～３．５ｎｍ,使用的水晶模板一般是单一或两种阳离子季铵盐表面活性剂［３,４］。本论文通过引入第二种扩孔模板,与阳离子季铵盐协同作用,合成了孔径５．２ｎｍ（ＢＥＴ法测）的ＭＣＭ４１。通过氮气的吸脱附,测定了分子筛的比表面和孔径等性质。Ｊ．Ｆｒａｉｓｓａｒｄ…     

Diastereomeric Xe chemical shifts in tethered cryptophane cages

Cryptophane cages serve as host molecules to a Xe atom. Functionalization of cryptophane-A has permitted the development of Xe as a biosensor. Synthetic routes used to prepare cryptophanes result in racemic mixtures of the chiral cages. In the preparation of a tethered cryptophane-A cage for biosensor applications, some achiral and chiral substituents such as left-handed amino acids have been used. When the substituent is achiral, the NMR signal of the Xe atom in the functionalized cage in solution is a single isotropic peak, since the Xe shielding tensor components in the R and L cages differ by no more than the signs of the off-diagonal elements. Chiral substituents can split the cage-encapsulated Xe NMR signal into one or more sets of doublets, depending on the number of asymmetric centers in the substituent. We carry out quantum mechanical calculations of Xe nuclear magnetic shielding for the Xe atom at the same strategic position within an L cryptophane-A cage, under the influence of chiral potentials that represent r or l substituents outside the cage. Calculations of the Xe shielding response in the Lr and Ll diastereomeric pairs permit the prediction of the relative order of the Xe chemical shifts in solutions containing the Rl and Ll diastereomers. Where the substituent itself possesses two chiral centers, comparison of the calculated isotropic shielding responses in the Llr, Lrl, Rll, and Lrr systems, respectively, permits the prediction of the Xe spectrum of diastereomeric systems in solutions containing Llr, Rlr, Lll, and Rll systems. Assignment of the peaks observed in the experimental Xe NMR spectra is therefore possible, without having to undertake the difficult synthetic route that produces a single optically pure enantiomer.     

Inclusion Complex Formation of Thiacalix[4]arene and Xe in Aqueous Solution Studied by Hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR

The inclusion complex formation of 4-sulfothiacalix[4]arene sodium salt (STCAS) and Xe has been investigated by using hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectroscopy. Our new continuous-flow type hyperpolarizing system has advantageous capabilities that can supply hyperpolarized gases continuously and directly to a sample solution in a NMR tube. Consequently saturated Xe concentration in the aqueous solution of STCAS is maintained during the NMR experiment, and ¹²⁹Xe NMR spectra can be obtained in remarkably short time. STCAS concentration dependence of ¹²⁹Xe chemical shift has been analyzed in an elaborated way by a computer method as well as a simple graphic method that we have proposed. The association constant K:13.6±0.8 M⁻¹ at 25 °C was obtained, and further analysis of the temperature dependence has successfully given thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) for the inclusion complex formation: ΔH = −11.9±1.9 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS = −17.4±5.8 JK⁻¹ mol⁻¹. The energetic aspects of complex formation are discussed from the size effect and from the molecular theory of standard entropy, and a release of definite number of water molecules from STCAS cavity is suggested in the inclusion complex formation with Xe.